Children 12 years old and younger should sit in the rear seat whenever possible to reduce the risk of death or serious injury.

Children between 40 and 80 pounds and less than 4’9’’ tall should ride in a booster seat. Booster seats help seat belts fit correctly and safely and give children more comfort and visibility.

Children in rear-facing safety seats should never be placed in the front seat of vehicles with passenger-side air bags, as these can result in death or severe injury when striking the safety seats.

Children who weigh more than 20 pounds and who are one year of age or older may ride in a forward-facing safety seat.

Infants weighing less than 20 pounds and younger than one year old should ride in a rear-facing safety seat.

Massachusetts law requires children to ride in child passenger restraints until they are eight years old or more than 57 inches in height.

Child Passenger Safety Resources

The CAR-SAFE Line is a toll-free help line for Massachusetts residents who have questions about passenger safety. To reach the CAR-SAFE Line please call (800) CAR-SAFE or (800) 227-7233, or access the Executive Office of Public Safety website.

The Injury Prevention and Control Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health can provide you with detailed child passenger safety information. Please contact the Injury Prevention and Control Program at (617) 624-5070.